Community Forums

GMN · 09-29-2021, 08:28 PM

2006 Monaco Diplomat, anyone out there cleaned a rear radiator from the back side 8.9 isl is there any way to get at it,

thank you in advance
GMN

rpasetto · 09-30-2021, 08:01 AM

The rear radiator may be more of a challenge. If you can spray from inside, bed raised, that may help; otherwise you need to be crawling under and be sure to adequately support coach if you do that. Use a mix of a detergent like Dawn and a cleaner type which is NON-Corrosive to Al and Cu. Simple green pro hd heavy-duty cleaner is one which I've used in the past.

GMN · 09-30-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpasetto

The rear radiator may be more of a challenge. If you can spray from inside, bed raised, that may help; otherwise you need to be crawling under and be sure to adequately support coach if you do that. Use a mix of a detergent like Dawn and a cleaner type which is NON-Corrosive to Al and Cu. Simple green pro hd heavy-duty cleaner is one which I've used in the past.

Thank you, not much room to work with i can see light but looks pretty narley

777 Driver · 09-30-2021, 11:17 AM

This is the Simple Green product that was recommended by the manufacturer of my chassis (Spartan): Extreme Simple Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner

https://simplegreen.com/industrial/p...ner/?locale=en

Available from auto parts stores and Amazon.

Take care,
Stu

wolfe10 · 09-30-2021, 11:29 AM

If (OK, BIG IF) your cooling package is STACKED (i.e. CAC on top, radiator below), yes, you can clean from the back since the cooling package is only one "layer" thick.

If the cooling package is SANDWICHED (CAC in front of the radiator), no you can not effectively clean from the back, since most of the dirt, oil and debris will be on the front of the CAC.

So, please tell us what configuration you have.

GMN · 10-06-2021, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfe10

If (OK, BIG IF) your cooling package is STACKED (i.e. CAC on top, radiator below), yes, you can clean from the back since the cooling package is only one "layer" thick.

If the cooling package is SANDWICHED (CAC in front of the radiator), no you can not effectively clean from the back, since most of the dirt, oil and debris will be on the front of the CAC.

So, please tell us what configuration you have.

It’s stacked I have a hatch in the back for access and another in the closet which I removed so I have about as good as you could ask for in accessible

GMN · 10-06-2021, 04:44 AM

Thanks to all for all the shared info it’s very helpful

fastcat · 10-06-2021, 02:56 PM

I made up a "wand" that attaches to my garden hose.

First I use a spray bottle to soak down the radiator, both inside the engine bay and from the rear, with the Simple Green Extreme mentioned earlier.

After it soaks a few minutes the wand is used to hose it out.

I repeat the procedure several times.

The wand looks something like the Camco water heater rinse tools you see all over the internet. One of those might actually work.

After I got the radiator cleaned the first time I added a slobber tube extension to the breather tube that now terminates at the receiver hitch, with a catch can to keep the oil residue of my trailers or toad.

Now, after 20,000 miles, the radiator no longer gets clogged with oil from the engine and dirt from the road.

BTW, catch can is just a plastic 12 OZ. Coke bottle I painted flat black and zip tied to the hose. If you're not looking hard you don't even see it!

nodine · 10-07-2021, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMN

2006 Monaco Diplomat, anyone out there cleaned a rear radiator from the back side 8.9 isl is there any way to get at it,

thank you in advance
GMN

If it is just routine cleaning then do like Rick says. If you are cleaning because you have overheating problems then you may have had an oil leak that caused the radiator to plug with dirt and no mater how many times you wash it by spraying from the bedroom and underneath it will most likely not get clean. We had an overheating problem with a 2006 Diplomat and after changing the fluid and thermostat cleaned the radiator multiple times without much success. The last time we used a special cleaning liquid and an air attachment but the engine would still overheat on long grades. Since the CAC is stacked on top of the radiator I pulled it and was able to get behind the radiator with a hose and spray nozzle. Dirt came out of the radiator for over 30 minutes while I sprayed from the back. I had to clean the driveway there was so much dirt and there was lots of debris stuck in the outer edges of the radiator that I had to scrap out. After this cleaning the coach temp never went above 187 degrees even on long grades towing a full size pickup truck.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/fyi...rs-505125.html

768Q · 10-07-2021, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

This is the Simple Green product that was recommended by the manufacturer of my chassis (Spartan): Extreme Simple Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner

https://simplegreen.com/industrial/p...ner/?locale=en

Available from auto parts stores and Amazon.

Take care,
Stu

Just ordered a gallon yesterday for same price as Amazon from Walmart, Amazon cancelled my order as they were out of 1 gallon size. Thinking Home Depot next time though, 5 gallons for $80.